Bup

My husband and I are planning a two week trip to Kaui and Maui. We are interested to know if we need to book reservations for activites before we go. We have our hotel and airfare from the states to Honalulu. We are particularly interested in hopping between islands and if it is necessary to reserve seating on that plane before we get there. We fly into Honalulu and need to get to Kaui for our first week. OR are the flights frequent and not necessary to prebook. Also is it wise to plan other activities ahead or just wait until we get there. We have never been to Hawaii and are anxious to make the most out of our two weeks. We are looking for advice from others who are "Hawaii savvy".

suze

I would definitely pre-book your flight between Honolulu and Kauai. So you hopefully can make a connection that same day, and not even have to leave the airport in Honolulu, rather make it all the way to Kauai on that same travel day.

I would also go ahead and book the necessary flights to get from Kauai to Maui & then Maui to Honolulu (assuming you have to fly back to Oahu for your flight home?).

I think activities can go either way. You can wait and arrange after you arrive, or you can book online in advance.

iowagirl

Definitely book the inter-island flight in advance. You might get lucky and not need to have done this, but it's always safer to pre-book, just in case.

As for the island activities, most of the places that have websites will be filled with "book now! we fill up fast! hurry!" but that's never been the case, in our experience, even during the high season. Have your hotel concierge help you book your activities, or call/go directly to the business itself to book once you arrive.

And DO NOT get sucked into any of the time-share talks - many store-front places will offer huge discounts on island activities if you agree to sit for a time-share sales spiel. TRUST ME on this - it's NOT worth it!

suze

ditto that, iowagirl! that probably IS the single best "Hawaiian savvy" advice we can give here. don't get sucked into anything to do with timeshare sales pitches.

it sounds like you already have hotel reservations/specific dates for arriving Kauai and Maui? i don't see any advantage (and a lot of possible disadvantages) to waiting to book those interisland flights.

dusty56438

You need to book air including interisland flights & car rentals far in advance. Car rental companies cut back on their fleet of cars.

You need to reserve any attraction that you really must go to in advance. Ziplines, a particular luau, helicopter rides. If any luau will do, then no need to reserve in advance.